Bangladesh Plans $2.2 Billion Deal for 20 Chinese J-10CE Fighter Jets

• By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Dhaka
• Oct 09, 2025
• 558

Bangladesh is planning to acquire 20 Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets worth around $2.2 billion as part of efforts to modernize its air force and strengthen national air defense, an interim government official confirmed.

According to Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Youth and Sports Adviser in the interim administration, Dhaka is negotiating a government-to-government deal with China for the purchase of the advanced jets.

The English daily The Business Standard reported that each aircraft is priced at $60 million, totaling $1.2 billion for the fleet, with training, equipment, freight, and maintenance raising the overall cost to $2.2 billion. Payments are expected to be spread over 10 fiscal years.

Developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the J-10CE is a fourth-generation multirole fighter that recently drew attention after reportedly engaging Indian Rafale jets during the India–Pakistan clashes in May. Pakistan is said to have used the aircraft during retaliatory operations following India’s May 7 strike.

Bangladeshi interim leader Muhammad Yunus reportedly discussed the potential deal during his visit to China earlier this year, where Beijing “responded positively,” sources said.

The Bangladesh Air Force currently operates 212 aircraft, including 44 fighter jets, of which 36 are Chinese-made F-7s.

Pakistan’s military has praised the performance of the Chinese J-10C platform, with army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry telling Bloomberg that “recent Chinese platforms have demonstrated exceptionally well.”

Meanwhile, in a related development, the US Defense Department announced on Sept. 30 that Raytheon will supply Pakistan with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to enhance its aerial combat capability.